Better Medical and PlasmaShield Partner in World First Air Purifying Technology at SA Clinic

New air purifying technology that can eliminate airborne viruses – including the potential to kill COVID-19 – is now a reality, with a Better Medical GP clinic in Mount Barker becoming the first in the world to instal the system.

Unlike other systems that capture but do not kill harmful micro-organisms, chemical gases and particulates, Keswick-based PlasmaShield has developed the only technology clinically proven to destroy pathogens transmitted through aerosolised droplets, thereby preventing the spread of infection through coughs and sneezes.

PlasmaShield, which is a TGA-listed medical device, uses water electrolysis and non-thermal plasma to create electron beam irradiation that bombards micro-organisms, penetrating their cell walls and destroying the nucleic acid inside the cell.

The patented technology, which is approximately the size of a carton of beer, can be integrated into existing heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems and has the capacity to treat air throughout indoor settings.

PlasmaShield has been trialled at the 450m² Mount Barker clinic, where the installation of a limited number of systems was independently verified to significantly eliminate airborne pathogens. Better Medical has now undertaken a full installation on the premises, fitting out the entire facility with PlasmaShield systems. Better Medical is now considering broader applications for its 90 practices across Australia.

“We want the safest possible environment for our patients and staff at our practices and we’re continually looking at ways in which we can improve this, particularly in light of the pandemic,” Better Medical CEO Jeremy Stones said.

“The World Health Organisation has determined that water droplets are the main route of transmission for airborne infections, so installing the system means this clinic has arguably the highest air quality of any GP practice in the world.

“From an operational perspective, it is also much more cost-effective to install than comparable systems, it has lower operating costs, fewer maintenance issues and doesn’t require constant cleaning. That’s why we are assessing whether it’s something we can utilise across our practice network.”

Developed over the past 10 years, PlasmaShield is superior to both HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filters, which capture but do not destroy viruses, and UVGI (Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation), which disinfects but does not filter the air and does not decompose water droplets.

PlasmaShield is effective in trapping and destroying viruses, bacteria, mould spores/fungi, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter. Sensors are used to constantly detect the air quality and these levels can be monitored 24/7 on mobile devices.

The Company has partnered with all three South Australian universities to rigorously test and measure the efficacy and efficiency of its system, including verification by UniSA that PlasmaShield consumes 95% less energy than HEPA filtration.

“Having evidence-based independent verification is very important to us, both in terms of the ability of our technology to deliver just as well in situ as it does in the laboratory,” PlasmaShield Director, Business Development, Bogdan Duszynski said.

“PlasmaShield is the world’s first technology to efficiently decompose water droplets and microorganisms contained within them. We know this is important to our customers as waters droplets are recognised by the World Health Organisation as the main route of transmission for airborne infections including COVID-19.

“It’s great to be working with such a high quality primary healthcare provider in Better Medical. While there are obvious applications in health, we have also established clients in other industries. It’s a very exciting time.”

Download the Press Release (11th February, 2022).